JERRY: Most men like working on things. Tools, objects, fixing things. This is what men enjoy doing. Have you ever noticed a guys out in his driveway working on something with tools, how all the other men in the neighborhood are magnetically drawn to this activity. They just come wandering out of the house like zombies. Men, its true, men hear a drill, its like a dog whistle. Just... (his head perks up) you know, they go running up to that living room curtain, Honey, I think Jims working on something over there. So they run over to the guy. Now they dont actually help the guy. No, they just want to hang around the area where work is being done. Thats what men want to do. We want to watch the guy, we want to talk to him, we want to ask him dumb questions. You know, What are you using, a Phillips-head? You know, we feel involved. Thats why when they have construction sites, they have to have those wood panel fences around it, thats just to keep the men out. They cut those little holes for us so we can see what the hell is going on. But if they dont cut those holes, we are climbing those fences. Right over there. What are you using the steel girders down there? Yeah, thatll hold.

INT. JERRYS LOBBY  DAY

(Jerry and George are waiting for the elevator.)

GEORGE: I had to say something. (chuckles) I had to say something. Everything was going so well. I had to say something.

JERRY: I dont think you did anything wrong.

GEORGE: I told her I liked her. Why? Why did I tell her I like her? I have this sick compulsion to tell women how I feel. I like you I dont tell you.

JERRY: We can only thank God for that.

(Elevator opens. They get on.)

GEORGE: Im outta the picture. I am outta the picture. (laughs) Its only a matter of time now.

JERRY: Youre imagining this. Really.

GEORGE: Oh, no. No no no no.

(Elevator doors close.)

INT. ELEVATOR  CONTINUING

GEORGE: Ill tell you when it happened. When that floss came flying out of my pocket.

JERRY: What floss? When?

GEORGE: We were in the lobby during the intermission of the play. I was buying her one of those containers of orange drink, for five dollars. I reached into my pocket to pay for it, I looked down; theres this piece of green floss hanging from my fingers.

JERRY: Ah, mint.

GEORGE: Of course. So, Im looking at it. I look up, I see shes looking at it. Our eyes lock. It was a horrible moment. I just..

(Elevator doors open. They get off.)

JERRY: So let me get this straight. She saw the floss, you panicked and you told her you liked her.

GEORGE: If I didnt put that floss in my pocket, Id be crawling around her bedroom right now looking for my glasses.

JERRY: He bothers me. I dont even answer the phone anymore because of him. Hes turned me into a screener. Now I gotta go see him on Wednesday.

GEORGE: What do you mean Wednesday? I though we had tickets to the Knick game Wednesday. We got seats behind the bench! What happened? Were not going?

JERRY: Were going. Thats next Wednesday.

GEORGE: Oh. Who is this guy?

JERRY: His name is Joel Horneck. He lived like three houses down from me when I grew up. He had a Ping Pong table. We were friends. Should I suffer the rest of my life because I like to play Ping Pong? I was ten. I wouldve been friends with Stalin if he had a Ping Pong table. Hes so self-involved.

(Kramers cordless phone rings. Kramer pulls it out of his pocket.)

KRAMER: Thats for me. (to the phone) Kramerica Industries. Oh, hi, Mark. No no no. Forget that. I got a better idea. A pizza place where you make your own pie...

JERRY: Can you conduct your business elsewhere?

KRAMER: (ignoring Jerry) No no no. Im talking about a whole chain of em. Yeah.

(Kramer leaves Jerrys apartment while still on the phone.)

GEORGE: I dont know why you even bother with this ping pong guy, Ill tell you that.

JERRY: I dont bother with him. Hes been calling me for seven years. Ive never called him once! Hes got the attention span of a five-year-old. Sometimes I sit there and I make up things just to see if hes paying attention.

GEORGE: I dont understand why you spend time with this guy.

JERRY: What can I do? Break up with him? Tell him, I dont think were right for each other. Hes a guy! At least with a woman, theres a precendent. You know, the relationship goes sour, you end it.

GEORGE: No no no no, you have to approach this as if he was a woman.

JERRY: Just break up with him?

GEORGE: Absolutely. You just tell him the truth.

JERRY: The Truth.

(They both careen)

INT. COMEDY CLUB  NIGHT

(Jerry is on stage, performing)

JERRY: As a guy I dont know how I can break up with another guy. You know what I mean? I dont know how to say, Bill, I feel I need to see other men. Do you know what I mean? Theres nothing I can do. I have to wait for someone to die. I think thats the only way out of this relationship. It could be a long time. See, the great thing about guys is that we can become friends based on almost nothing. Just two guys will just become friends just because theyre two guys. Thats almost all we need to have in common. Cause sports  sports and women  is really all we talk about. If there was no sports and no women the only thing guys would ever say is, So, whats in the refrigerator?

INT. MONKS DINER  DAY

(Jerry and Joel are sitting at a table.)

JOEL: ...so my shrink wants me to bring my mother in for a session. This guy is a brilliant man. Lenny Bruce used to go to him. And I think, uh, Geraldo.

JERRY: You know, I read the Lenny Bruce biography, I thought it was really... interesting. He would-

JERRY: Anyway, the Hizballah has invited me to perform. (Joel shakes his head agreeing; Jerry smiles) You know, its their annual terrorist luncheon.

JOEL: Yeah.

JERRY: (cont'd) Im gonna do it in Farsi.

JOEL: Do you think I need a haircut?

(A waitress approaches their table.)

CLAIRE: Are you ready?

JERRY: Yeah, Ill have the egg salad on whole wheat.

JOEL: (to the waitress) Let me ask you a question. This, uh, this turkey sandwich here, is that real turkey, or is it a turkey roll? I dont want that processed turkey. (to Jerry) I hate it.

WAITRESS: I think its real turkey.

JOEL: Is there a real bird in the back?

WAITRESS: No, theres not bird but-

JOEL: Well, how do you know for sure? Look, why dont you do me a favor. Why dont you go in the back and find out, okay? (The waitress leaves.) Unbelievable.

JERRY: How can you talk to someone like that?

JOEL: What are you saying? What, you like turkey roll?

JERRY: Listen, Joel. Theres something I have to tell you...

JOEL: (laughing) Wait, youll never guess who I ran into.

(Joel pushes out his ears as a hint to Jerry.)

JERRY AND JOEL: Howard Metro.

JOEL: He asked me if I still saw you. I said, Sure, I see him all the time. Were still great friends. Anyway, Howard says hello. (laughs)

JERRY: Listen, Joel, I dont think we should see each other anymore.

JOEL: What?

JERRY: This friendship: Its not working.

JOEL: Not working? What are you talking about?

JERRY: Were just not suited to be friends.

JOEL: How can you say that?

JERRY: Look, youre a nice guy, its just that... we dont have anything in common.

JOEL: (starting to cry) Wai-Wait. What did I do? Tell me. I want to know what I did.

JERRY: Y-You didnt do anything. Its not you, its me. Its- this is very difficult.

JOEL: Look, I know I call you too much, right? I mean, I know youre a very busy guy.

JERRY: No, its not that.

JOEL: (crying) Youre one of the few people I can talk to.

JERRY: Oh, come on. Thats not true.

JOEL: I always tell everybody about you. Tell everybody to (to the rest of the coffee shop) GO SEE HIS SHOW! (to Jerry) I mean, Im your biggest fan!

JERRY: I know, I know.

JOEL: I mean, youre my best friend.

JERRY: Best friend- Ive never been to your apartment.

JOEL: I cannot believe that this is happening. I cant believe it.

JERRY: Okay, okay. Forget it. Its okay. I didnt mean it.

JOEL: Didnt mean what?

JERRY: What I said. Ive been under a lot of stress.

JOEL: Oh, youve been under a lot of stress.

JERRY: Just, can we just forget the whole thing ever happend? Im sorry. I didnt mean it. I took it out on you. Were still friends. Were still friends. Still friends. Okay? Look, Ill tell you what. Ive got Knick tickets this Wednesday. Great seats behind the bench. You want to come with me? Come on.

(Joels tears are clearing up.)

JOEL: Tonight?

JERRY: No, next Wednesday. If it was tonight, I wouldve said tonight.

JOEL: Do you really want me to go?

JERRY: (lying) Yes.

JOEL: Okay. (Jerry gives him some napkins to clean himself up) Yeah, okay. Great! That would be, thatd be great. So, next Wednesday.

JERRY: Next Wednesday.

JOEL: Where is that waitress? (to the counter) Hey!

INT. BANK  DAY

(Jerry is at the counter, filling out a slip. George is carrying a jug full of change.)

GEORGE: ...she calls me up at my office

JERRY: Yeah.

GEORGE: (cont'd) she says, We have to talk.

JERRY: Ugh, the four worst words in the English language.

GEORGE: That, or Whos bra is this?

JERRY: That is worse.

GEORGE: So we order lunch, and were talking. Finally, she blurts out how its not working.

JERRY: Really.

GEORGE: So, Im thinking, as shes saying this, Im thinking: great, the relationships over. But the egg salads on the way. So now I have a decision: Do I walk or do I eat?

JERRY: Hm. You ate.

GEORGE: We sat there for twenty minutes, chewing, staring at each other in a defunct relationship.

GEORGE: Its unbelievable. You know what else is unbelievable? I picked up the check. She didnt even offer. She ended it. The least she could do is send me off with a sandwich.

(Jerry looks at Georges jug of change.)

JERRY: How much could you possibly have in there?

GEORGE: Its my money. What should I do? Throw it out the window? I know a guy who took his vacation on his change.

JERRY: Yeah? Whered he go, to an arcade?

GEORGE: (sarcastically) Thats funny. Youre a funny guy.

JERRY: Cmon, move up.

(George moves up in the bank line. Theres a customer in front of him.)

CUSTOMER: Oh great, Ewings hurt.

GEORGE: Ewings hurt? How long is he going to be out?

CUSTOMER: A couple of days at the most but...

GEORGE: Geez.

JERRY: Oh, God.

GEORGE: I got scared there for a second. The Knicks without Ewing.

JERRY: Listen, George, little problem with the game.

GEORGE: What about it?

JERRY: The thing is, yesterday, I kind of.. uh..

GEORGE: What?

JERRY: I gave your ticket to Horneck.

GEORGE: (not believing him) You what?!

JERRY: Yeah, Im sorry. I had to give it to Horneck.

GEORGE: No! My ticket?! You gave my ticket to Horneck?

JERRY: Cmon, cmon, go ahead, move up.

GEORGE: Why did you give him my ticket for?

JERRY: You didnt see him. It was horrible.

GEORGE: Oh, cmon, Jerry. I cant believe this.

JERRY: I had to do it.

(George is up to the teller. Jerry goes to another one.)

GEORGE: Oh, please. (to the teller) Can you change this into bills?

TELLER: Im sorry, sir. We cant do that.

JERRY: Do you want to go with him? You go. I dont mind.

GEORGE: Im not going with him. I dont even know the guy. (to the teller) Look, they did this for me before.

TELLER: Look, I can give you these and you can roll them yourself.

GEORGE: You want me to roll six thousand of these?! What, should I quit my job?!

INT. COMEDY CLUB

(Jerry is on stage, performing.)

JERRY: No, I do not like the bank. Ive heard the expression Laughing all the way to the bank. I have never seen anyone actually doing it. And those bank lines. I hate it when theres nobody on the line at all, you know that part, you go to the bank, its empty and you still have to go through the little maze. (walking on the stage like he is going through a maze) Can you get a little piece of cheese for me? Im almost at the front. Id like a reward for this please.

INT. JERRYS APARTMENT  DAY

(George is stuffing pennies into rolls.)

GEORGE: ...thirty-two, thirty-three-

JERRY: George.

(George puts up his hand.)

GEORGE: Not now.

(George counts to himself.)

JERRY: Could you stop the counting?

(George loses count.)

GEORGE: Nnnnnnngaaa!

(He dumps out roll.)

GEORGE: What?!

JERRY: Can I make it up to you? Ill give you fifty bucks for the jug.

GEORGE: Oh, yeah, sure. Keep your money.

JERRY: Well, then Im not going to the game either. Okay? Ill give him both tickets.

GEORGE: This is the thing where you go and you have to make your own pizza?

KRAMER: Yeah, we give you the dough, you smash it, you pound it, you fling it in the air. And then you get to put your sauce and you get to sprinkle your cheese, and then- you slide it into the oven.

GEORGE: You know, you have to know how to do that. You cant have people shoving their arms into a six-hundred degree oven!

KRAMER: Its all supervised.

GEORGE: Oh, well...

KRAMER: All of it. You want to invest?

GEORGE: My moneys all tied up in change right now.

KRAMER: No, Im tellin you, people, they really want to make their own pizza pie.

JERRY: I-I have to say something. With all due respect, I just never- I cant imagine anyone in any walk of life, under any circumstance, wanting to make their own pizza pie... but thats me. Alright

KRAMER: Thats you.

JERRY: Im just saying..Alright.

KRAMER: Okay, okay. I just wanted to check with you guys.

JERRY: Okay.

KRAMER: You know, this business is going to be big. I just wanted- okay.

(Kramer exits quickly, then sticks his head back through the door.)

KRAMER: One day, youll beg me to make your own pie.

(Kramer exits for good. Jerry dials Joels number.)

JERRY: (to the phone) Hi, Joel. This is Jerry. I hope you get this before you- Oh, Hi. Joel... Oh, you just came in... Listen, I cant make it to the game tonight... I, uh, have to tutor my nephew... Yeah, hes got an exam tomorrow... Geometry... You know, trapezoids, rhombus... Anyway, listen, you take the tickets. Theyre at the Will-Call window... And Im really sorry... Have a good time... Well talk next week... Okay... Yeah, I dont... Fine.. Fine... Bye.

(He hangs up.)

GEORGE: Trapezoid?

JERRY: I know. Im really running out of excuses with this guy. I need some kind of excuse rolodex.

JERRY: Its a list of excuses, its for that guy, Horneck, whos at the game tonight with my tickets. I have that list now so in case he calls, I just consult it and I dont have to see him. (Elaine laughs.) I need it. (Elaine starts writing on the list.) What are you doing?

ELAINE: I got some for you.

JERRY: I dont need any more.

ELAINE: No no no no no, these are good. Listen, listen: You ran out of underwear, you cant leave the house.

JERRY: (not amused) Very funny.

ELAINE: How about: Youve been diagnosed as a multiple personality. Youre not even you. Youre Dan.

ELAINE: We-Were doing that evening of Eastern European National Anthems.

JERRY: Right. You know, the Wall being down and everything.

JOEL: What about Thursday night? I mean theyre playing the Sonics.

(Jerry shakes his head.)

ELAINE: Huh... Thursday is no good because weve got to get to the hospital to see if we qualify as those organ donors.

JOEL: You know, I should really try something like that.

JERRY: You really should.

JOEL: Well, lets just take a look here.

(Horneck looks at his schedule.)

JOEL: Forty-one home games. Let's see saturday night weve got the Mavericks. If you dont like the Mavericks, next Tuesday: Lakers. I mean, you gotta like Magic, right? Lets see, on the road, on the road, on the road, on the road, back on the fourteenth. They play the Bulls. You cant miss Air Jordan...

INT. COMEDY CLUB  NIGHT

(Jerry is on stage, performing.)

JERRY: You know, I really... Ive come to the conclusion that there are certain friends in your life that theyre just always your friends, and you have to accept it. You see them, you dont really wanna see them. You dont call them, they call you. You dont call back, they call again. The only way to get through talking with people that you dont really have anything in common with is to pretend youre hosting your own little talk show. This is what I do. You pretend theres a little desk around you. The only problem with this is theres no way you can say, Hey, its been great having you on the show. Were out of time.